Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07RANGOON183
2007-02-23 09:43:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Rangoon
Cable title:
BURMA EDGES CLOSER TO ILO AGREEMENT
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C O N F I D E N T I A L RANGOON 000183
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/MLS; PACOM FOR FPA, TREASURY FOR OASIA:AJEWELL
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/21/2016
TAGS: ELAB PHUM PGOV BM
SUBJECT: BURMA EDGES CLOSER TO ILO AGREEMENT
REF: RANGOON 0068
Classified By: Econoff TLManlowe for Reason 1.4 (b,d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L RANGOON 000183
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/MLS; PACOM FOR FPA, TREASURY FOR OASIA:AJEWELL
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/21/2016
TAGS: ELAB PHUM PGOV BM
SUBJECT: BURMA EDGES CLOSER TO ILO AGREEMENT
REF: RANGOON 0068
Classified By: Econoff TLManlowe for Reason 1.4 (b,d)
1. (C) Summary: The ILO and the GOB have reached an ad
referendum agreement on the establishment of a mechanism to
address forced labor complaints. The ILO Governing Board and
the Burmese Cabinet must approve the text before the
agreement is signed, probably in Geneva. The ILO Liaison
Officer expressed cautious hope that the GOB would give the
green light before the ILO Governing Board takes up the issue
of Burma in its next meeting in late March. End summary.
2. (C) On February 21, ILO Liaison Officer Richard Horsey
told econoff that over the last few months, with some
interruptions (reftel),Burma's ambassador in Geneva
negotiated with the ILO on the text of an agreement to
establish a mechanism to address forced labor complaints in
Burma. After the GOB agreed to a moratorium on the
persecution of forced labor complainants, and dropped charges
against those who had made complaints in 2006, the mechanism
became the primary focus of ILO efforts. The two sides have
completed an ad referendum agreement, which requires the
approval of the ILO Governing Board and the GOB Cabinet.
Since the text is essentially identical to what the ILO
Governing Board accepted last November, Horsey said he
expected quick approval by ILO members.
3. (C) Horsey noted that throughout the process, Burma's
Ambassador in Geneva coordinated by phone with officials in
Rangoon and Nay Pyi Taw. Horsey said he felt confident the
senior regime leadership had been kept apprised of
developments and had approved the final text. Although he
hopes to have agreement "in the short term," Horsey said, no
one could ever predict what the regime will do. Cabinet
meetings are held weekly, and the March ILO meeting gives the
GOB impetus for a quick response, Horsey added. Once both
sides have given approval, he expects that the Ambassador in
Geneva would sign the agreement with the ILO's Deputy
Director.
4. (C) Comment: The odds are good that the GOB will finally
agree on a mechanism with the ILO to avoid becoming the
target of further international criticism at this time. The
Chinese reportedly have urged progress and without progress,
the March ILO Governing Board could vote to refer Burma to
the International Court of Justice. The GOB does not
consider itself a labor oppressor and has difficulty
accepting that others condemn what it sees acceptable for its
stage of development and in lieu of taxes. This agreement
does not necessarily signal any new acceptance of
international norms by the GOB, but rather GOB desire to
avoid the ICJ and further international condemnation. We
will continue to monitor closely to see if the mechanism
enables the ILO representative to investigate effectively
forced labor complains, which would require additional staff
and the ability to travel around the country without
restrictions or interference. End comment.
VILLAROSA
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/MLS; PACOM FOR FPA, TREASURY FOR OASIA:AJEWELL
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/21/2016
TAGS: ELAB PHUM PGOV BM
SUBJECT: BURMA EDGES CLOSER TO ILO AGREEMENT
REF: RANGOON 0068
Classified By: Econoff TLManlowe for Reason 1.4 (b,d)
1. (C) Summary: The ILO and the GOB have reached an ad
referendum agreement on the establishment of a mechanism to
address forced labor complaints. The ILO Governing Board and
the Burmese Cabinet must approve the text before the
agreement is signed, probably in Geneva. The ILO Liaison
Officer expressed cautious hope that the GOB would give the
green light before the ILO Governing Board takes up the issue
of Burma in its next meeting in late March. End summary.
2. (C) On February 21, ILO Liaison Officer Richard Horsey
told econoff that over the last few months, with some
interruptions (reftel),Burma's ambassador in Geneva
negotiated with the ILO on the text of an agreement to
establish a mechanism to address forced labor complaints in
Burma. After the GOB agreed to a moratorium on the
persecution of forced labor complainants, and dropped charges
against those who had made complaints in 2006, the mechanism
became the primary focus of ILO efforts. The two sides have
completed an ad referendum agreement, which requires the
approval of the ILO Governing Board and the GOB Cabinet.
Since the text is essentially identical to what the ILO
Governing Board accepted last November, Horsey said he
expected quick approval by ILO members.
3. (C) Horsey noted that throughout the process, Burma's
Ambassador in Geneva coordinated by phone with officials in
Rangoon and Nay Pyi Taw. Horsey said he felt confident the
senior regime leadership had been kept apprised of
developments and had approved the final text. Although he
hopes to have agreement "in the short term," Horsey said, no
one could ever predict what the regime will do. Cabinet
meetings are held weekly, and the March ILO meeting gives the
GOB impetus for a quick response, Horsey added. Once both
sides have given approval, he expects that the Ambassador in
Geneva would sign the agreement with the ILO's Deputy
Director.
4. (C) Comment: The odds are good that the GOB will finally
agree on a mechanism with the ILO to avoid becoming the
target of further international criticism at this time. The
Chinese reportedly have urged progress and without progress,
the March ILO Governing Board could vote to refer Burma to
the International Court of Justice. The GOB does not
consider itself a labor oppressor and has difficulty
accepting that others condemn what it sees acceptable for its
stage of development and in lieu of taxes. This agreement
does not necessarily signal any new acceptance of
international norms by the GOB, but rather GOB desire to
avoid the ICJ and further international condemnation. We
will continue to monitor closely to see if the mechanism
enables the ILO representative to investigate effectively
forced labor complains, which would require additional staff
and the ability to travel around the country without
restrictions or interference. End comment.
VILLAROSA